Abstract
The present study aims to understand the influence of biochemical parameters of the host plants vizAbelmoschus esculentus L.,Gossypium hirsutum L. andAbutilon indicum G. Den. on the reproductive biology ofEarias vittella. The results indicate remarkable variation in the biochemical parameters of host plants which affected significantly the growth index and reproductive potential of the insect species. Decrease in body weight, fecundity, prolongation of larval period, percentage of larva becoming adult and adult longevity of both male and female was observed when reared onAbutilon indicum which had less amount of reducing sugars, protein and free amino acids but had high amount of non reducing sugars. Decreased larval period, increased fecundity and adult longevity were observed when reared on cotton and okra which had high amount of reducing sugars, free amino acids and protein. There was no significant difference in the amount of total soluble sugars among the 3 hosts tested. The growth index and fecundity ofEarias vittella are apparently high on okra than on cotton. It is observed that high amount of reducing sugars, free amino acids and protein seems to be favourable for increase in fecundity ofEarias vittella.
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Sundararaj, R., David, B.V. Influence of biochemical parameters of different hosts on the biology ofEarias vittella (Fab.) (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera). Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Anim. Sci.) 96, 329–332 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03180017
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03180017